MILLWALL jetted out to Portugal yesterday as they ramp up their fitness work and tactical preparations before the start of the 2016-17 League One campaign.
The squad returned to Calmont Road for the start of pre-season last Friday and boss Neil Harris said he was pleased with the physical levels of the players after a shorter summer break following their play-off involvement.
Speaking before they left, Harris said: “All the testing was done Friday: jump testing, body fat, players being weighed. There were also strength tests, bench presses and other similar exercises. They also do a yo-yo run (a variation of a beep test), which is an endurance test of 20 metres.
“It’s to establish the base levels and then the sports science department and medical department can use all that data to see where people are at physically.
“Some need more gym work, some need more aerobic capacity workouts. Fortunately most were in shape, they worry about diets which is quite common these days compared to the old days where players came back overweight.
Meanwhile, Shaun Cummings and Christian Mbulu are the only current injury absentees. Cummings could return to first-team action in August and is currently working away from the squad with club physio Bobby Bacic as he recovers from a knee injury that has kept him out since February.
Mbulu damaged his knee last season and is not expected to be back in competitive action until October or November.
Harris also confirmed that Harry Smith, the Folkestone Invicta striker, is not on trial at the club this week as was originally planned.
Smith, 21, is interesting the Lions and their League One rivals Gillingham, whom he trained with last season. He has also been on trial at Scottish club Aberdeen.
The 6ft 6ins centre-forward helped Folkestone Invicta to promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division last season, and Harris still wants the club to take a look at the player.
“Harry unfortunately has not been able to come in this week, he picked up a minor knock doing some personal training,” Harris said. “Hopefully he’ll be in next week as soon as he’s fit to do some work with us.”
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